05) effect on reducing nickle (Ni), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and chromium (Cr) accumulation in maize under heavy metal-contaminated irrigation water. However, more detailed open-field experiments should be carried out to assess the long-term residual impacts of ABC for sustaining maize production under biotic stress.A combined approach based on multiple X-ray analytical techniques and conventional methods was adopted to investigate the distribution and speciation of Cr in a polluted agricultural soil, from the bulk-scale down to the (sub)micro-level. Soil samples were collected from two different points, together with a control sample taken from a nearby unpolluted site. The bulk characterization revealed that the polluted soils contained much higher concentrations of organic matter (OM) and potentially toxic elements (PTE) than the control. Chromium was the most abundant PTE (up to 5160&nbsp;g&nbsp;kg-1), and was present only as Cr(III), as its oxidation to Cr(VI) was hindered by the high OM content. According to sequential extractions, Cr was mainly associated to the soil oxidisable fraction (74%) and to the residual fraction (25%). The amount of Cr potentially bioavailable for plant uptake (DTPA-extractable) was negligible. Characterization of soil thin sections by micro X-ray fluorescence (μXRF) and field emission scanning ele soil thus reducing the environmental risks.Green philosophy is gaining popularity worldwide. Recycling materials from building demolitions, reutilizing by-products from industrial facilities and exploring the potential uses of waste during a second life cycle are the objectives of this philosophy. In the present article, bottom ashes from electric power generation plants using biofuel combustion were evaluated to verify their potential use as expansive clay stabilizers. Two objectives are pursued (1) finding a new use for waste that is typically landfilled despite its great potential arising from its technical properties and (2) improving the mechanical properties and reducing the expansive nature of the expansive clays identified during the construction of a motorway. Based on this framework, the present study demonstrated the potential of biomass bottom ashes to stabilize expansive clays. The optimum dosage to improve the properties of clays was determined based on performance parameters, such as plasticity, free swelling or soil collapse. Afterwards, the contaminating potential of ashes was evaluated, being classified as hazardous waste. However, the stabilized mixtures were classified as inert products, thus guaranteeing the environmental feasibility of their use. Finally, the technical application of the stabilized clays as filling materials for embankments and subgrade for light traffic roads was proved. Graphical abstract.Water level (a vital indicator for flood warnings and water management in floodplains) has been changed notably due to climatic and anthropogenic forces; however, very little is known about the relative effects of these agents. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/Dihydroartemisinin(DHA).html In this study, we take the Taihu Plain as an example to investigate potential factors driving changes in water level components through quantiles from 1954 to 2014. To quantify the extent of water level component changes attributable to climate variability and human activity, several non-stationary models considering rainfall, tide, evaporation, and hydraulic regulation as covariates are established based on generalized additive models for location, scale, and shape. The results indicate that most water level components increased over time and changed abruptly around the mid-1980s. As for climatic factors, the variability of rainfall, tide and evaporation significantly affected water level variation based on most quantiles from 1954 to 2014. Among several kinds of human activities, hydraulic regulation was a key factor influencing water level based on a high correlation coefficient. Positive effects were identified from hydraulic regulation regarding the association between rainfall and water level components; these effects depend on water level quantiles and the amount of rainfall occurrence. Our study has broad implications, providing a better understanding of water level variation and regional flood management.A rare super-large fractured karst aquifer located in Zibo city, Shandong Province of Northern China was polluted by petroleum hydrocarbons from a petrochemical company. Over the last 30&nbsp;years, it has been the focus of several remediation efforts. In this study, the contamination and natural attenuation characteristics of the petroleum hydrocarbons were elucidated using hydrogeochemical indicators (DO, DOC, Cl-, HCO3-, pH, NO3-, and SO42-), petroleum hydrocarbons elements and environmental isotopes (δ15NNO3, δ18ONO3, δ13CDIC, and δ13CDOC). With the aid of GIS, statistical analyses, as well as first-order decay model and electron-acceptor-limited kinetic model, the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of the petroleum hydrocarbons were modeled. Results showed a positive natural attenuation trend over the last 3 decades where intrinsic biodegradation mechanism was found to be the most important factor driving the degradation of hydrocarbons in the aquifer system. The hydrogeochemical association between the indicators and petroleum hydrocarbons provided the evidences of biodegradation and also served as markers, highlighting the occurrence of anaerobic respiration without methanogenic activities within the heterogenous karst media. Furthermore, the mean natural attenuation rate of petroleum hydrocarbons was calculated to be 3.76?×?10-3/day whereby the current highest petroleum hydrocarbons concentration (361.13&nbsp;μg/L) is estimated to be degraded completely in 6&nbsp;years under the present hydrogeological and environmental conditions.Multi-elemental C-Br-Cl compound-specific isotope analysis was applied for characterizing abiotic and biotic degradation of the environmental pollutant 1-bromo-2-chloroethane (BCE). Isotope effects were determined in the model processes following hydrolytic dehalogenation and dihaloelimination pathways as well as in a microcosm experiment by the microbial culture from the contaminated site. Hydrolytic dehalogenation of BCE under alkaline conditions and by DhaA enzyme resulted in similar dual isotope slopes (?C/Br 21.9?±?4.7 and 19.4?±?1.8, respectively, and ?C/Cl?~?∞). BCE transformation by cyanocobalamin (B12) and by Sulfurospirillum multivorans followed dihaloelimination and was accompanied by identical, within the uncertainty range, dual isotope slopes (?C/Br 8.4?±?1.7 and 7.9?±?4.2, respectively, and ?C/Cl 2.4?±?0.3 and 1.5?±?0.6, respectively). Changes over time in the isotope composition of BCE from the contaminated groundwater showed only a slight variation in δ13C values and were not sufficient for the elucidation of the BCE degradation pathway in situ.